For his responsible leadership in Collin County, Keith Self is being attacked for being too fiscally conservative. In these troubling economic times, it’s hard to imagine that that’s an effective criticism. Self is running for a second term at the helm of a county which is one of the most prosperous and growing in the nation, thanks in part to his even-handed leadership. His Republican primary challenger, meanwhile, apparently believes residents are not taxed enough.

John Muns says he is running because Self’s views “jeopardize” county services and that Self has done nothing “except keeping taxes low.” Neither the Dallas Morning News or Muns campaign website highlight any examples of Self jeopardizing the county.

On the other hand, there are abundant examples of Self and his fellow commissioners’ court members demonstrating budgetary restraint and allowing residents to pocket the savings. Apparently what Self jeopardizes is a good-old-boy network that has been told to look elsewhere for patronize schemes.

By keeping taxes low, Judge Self has allowed families to make ends meet — but that is only part of his impressive work. He led the way not only in Collin County, or Texas, but the nation in government transparency at the county level. Self made it a priority to put the county’s check registry online, affording citizens the opportunity to see how their tax dollars are being spent.

We see all too often individuals who run as conservative but legislate like liberals. In Judge Self, we find a consistent, courageous conservative who has delivered in office on his campaign rhetoric. That makes him a prime target for the big-government establishment. They simply cannot stomach someone who practically exercises their convictions. That is, when those convictions have to do with keeping government under control, the taxpayers free and the economy nimble.

Now they are seeking to unseat Self, bringing their own big-tax version of “purity” to the party table. That would be a pure disaster for Collin County and all of Texas.

Daniel Greer

Daniel Greer is the Director of Innovation for Texas Scorecard.

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